After months of research and testing 4 brands in this class, I finally pushed GO! on my new ride. I'm super chuffed and the S10 has exceeded all my expectations. I've riden the GSA for years and my last one, a 2012, did over 135 000km. Great bike and it served me well.
I commute a minimum of 120km daily. Freeway, Filtering Splitting and needed a ride that made the most sense. Reliable, Fun, Affordable, Comfortable, Easily Split lanes in city traffic and then handle long hauls at high speeds on the freeways.
I had my name down for the R1250 to collect in a few weeks, and having always owned BMW, didn't even give any other bike a second glance.
I walked into the local Yamaha dealer to get some riding gear and this S10 beauty, on the floor brand new, for $7000 cheaper than the Beemer....Whaaaaat. That's R100k cheaper in local currency which is a WACK of cash.
Curiosity got me and I took a test ride and that's when the S%#t started in my head and I learnt the lesson on "value for money"
I seriously couldn't find fault with the S10:
Sexy looking bike, Super Comfortable, She pulls like a freight train with better top end than my old 2012 BMW, better brakes and how did I do it all without Cruise Control. Better gear change, where's the clunk I'm so used to and then so easy to find neutral.
I "DIG" the sound of that Parallel Twin, doof, doof.....doof, doof.....the low down torque and GRUNT is insane. 6th gear 90km\h and just turn the taps on, then I keep looking for a 7th gear, as she runs past 180km\h still pulling hard to somewhere near 220.....Whaaaaat
She dives into bends effortlessly (no man handling needed like my old one) and then sits up in the tightest traffic balancing at the slowest speeds with ease.
The Digital dash and better fuel consumption at 5,4lt\100km....Whaaaat.
Jeez what just happened? Why has nobody told me about this gem of a machine. The S10 has to be the biggest kept secret in the adventure market. Why did I follow the GS group like sheep? Why is the GS, KTM and Tiger so damn expensive then.
I argued and wrestled with myself for the next two weeks, feeling like a traitor at times, and wow, I really struggled to find the value in the extra $6000-$7000 for the GS. I even went back to the BM shop twice to compare. Parts are cheaper, Services are cheaper, Mods and aftermarket bling is cheaper. Like the Arrow Exhaust. Yamaha dealer recommended the Arrow over the Acropovic and saved another $500....Yeeesssss!
Then I made up my mind and broke away from the herd. Finally! I loaded Givi everything: Crash Bars, LED lights, Bash Plate, Trekker Top Box, Tank Bag, extra screen deflector, bar risers and the Arrow slip on. BRAAP!
And then still its cheaper than a new BMW without the add-ons. Crazy man!
It's been an incredible week on the new S10, already 1000km done and I can't wipe this silly smile off my face. I can't sleep, I can't wait to go to work tomorrow morning!
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